Welcome

Next SAFAP meeting: 5th December 2018

Treasure Trove Unit

The role of Treasure Trove is to ensure that objects of cultural significance from Scotland’s past are protected for the benefit of the nation and preserved in museums across the country.

Treasure Trove is based on the principles of the Scots common law bona vacantia (ownerless goods). The Treasure Act (1996) does not apply in Scotland.

In Scotland, any ownerless objects found by chance or through activities such as metal-detecting, field-walking, or archaeological excavation become the property of the Crown and therefore may be claimed as treasure trove.

With the exception of modern objects, e.g. Victorian coins and machinery fragments, etc., any object considered to be significant, regardless of its age or composition, may be claimed as treasure by the Crown.

Contact us

For any enquires relating to the Treasure Trove Unit, or if you have an archaeological object to report please don’t hesitate to get in touch. For TTU staff please see ‘People’.